Sunday, July 17, 2016

Winter Plan (Quartzsite AZ via Colorado Springs, CO)

Made it to SD, ND, But had to cancel WA due to mechanical issues with my van.  I have family and friends to visit now in Colorado before continuing on to Quartzsite, AZ.  The summer was fabulous and as time permits I will post more photos.


Got to meet my Great niece, Brooklyn and her wonderful big brother, Levi (the photo bomber).  Wish it could have been a longer visit.  I just know this, my niece, Amber, is a wonderful mother and her kids are great.

Returned to Meeker to pick up my trailer.  Prior to going to ND, I had to replace this catalytic converter.  The GMC dealer in Meeker wanted $1,700 for the job.... Valley Repair did it for less than $400... leaving me the funds to make the ND trip.  The old converter was full of crumbled pieces.  I will write more about these wonderful mechanics at Valley Repair in Meeker.  They have adopted me now and consider me "family."


And now I need to take care of pealing paint that is coming off the van in sheets. I had already had the hood repainted in FL a few years ago.  Expensive job... one quote was $1,000 just to patch these two places... and a two week wait before they could do the job.  Uggghhhh.

The Profile of George Washington at Mt. Rushmore.  I saw many interesting things, but I am not much of a tourist.  I take the road less traveled.  More on that later.

I am safe, happy, and healing from a month-long COPD episode, falling and cracking 3 ribs, worry over the cost of repairing my van so I could be on the road again, and then the paint coming off, plus the stress of saying goodbye to all the people I met at Northfork campground this season.  I have been offered another job at a different campground and am considering it... but it will depend on how the AZ Trail goes... and when I finish it, and if I survive it.  LOL



3 comments:

  1. When will you be in SD? I didn't get to say goodbye after RTR. Might be able to meet ya.
    -K(+thePups)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. broke 3 ribs Sunday... so will be delaid... should be there by 3rd wk of Sept. Breaking camp and loading up will be a challenge. It has taken me this long to figure out who you are... a photographer, right?

      Delete
    2. Sorry Anonymous... I have come and gone. Maybe at the next RTR???

      Delete

Who is Swankie?

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Anywhere, USA, Full-Time USA traveler, United States
In 2006, I was shopping for a wheelchair. By 2007, I had new knees, better health and by 2008 a kayak. In Aug 2013, I kayaked my 49th state, Alaska, at the Holgate Glacier and in May 2014, I kayaked Hawaii, my 50th state, to celebrate my 70th Birthday and the finale to the wonderful adventure of Kayaking America? Next up... Solo Hiking the Arizona Trail, 820 miles? Maybe. Still healing from shoulder and trying to decide.

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